In a statement to parliament today, the democracy minister set out the changes the government plans to make in the forthcoming elections bill.
Last week we set out what we hoped to see in the legislation, and it is great to see so many of those democratic reforms confirmed by today’s statement.
Thanks to your support, we are now going to see some hugely positive steps towards improving our democracy.
Extending the franchise
This highly anticipated bill will make the historic move to extend the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds, something we have long campaigned for. We know that engaging young people in democracy, alongside improved democratic education and support, makes long-term improvements to participation and engagement, and not just for young people.
A registration revolution
Alongside this, the government confirmed their intention to improve voter registration. We have consistently been making the case for a modernised and more automated registration system to make it simple for voters. The UK’s registration system lags other countries and puts up unnecessary barriers for voters. We need to get the missing millions on the register and this will help to do so.
A reassessment of the unnecessary voter ID scheme
After a long campaign highlighting the unnecessary and damaging impact of compulsory photographic voter ID, it is great to see that the government has listened and will be making significant changes to the scheme to scrap the need for photo ID and move to allowing the types of non-photographic ID that voters will have access to, such as bank cards.
This is something we have been pressing for, and it will go a long way to reducing the damage of this unnecessary scheme.
Tackling dodgy money in politics
If dark money can buy influence, it damages our democratic institutions. And right now, that’s a real risk.
Measures to tighten political finance loopholes to ensure that impermissible donations cannot sneak into our politics and measures to strengthen the Electoral Commission’s ability to enforce the rules are also crucial in protecting our democracy.
Your support is backing our campaign
Thanks to your support, today we have moved a step closer to a democracy that works for everyone. You can support our work further by becoming a member.
Members support our work in parliament, in the press and online – making the case, and backing it up – for how we can fix Westminster’s broken system.
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